Happy Halloween from Addicted Magazine

From childhood to today, I’ve been a huge Halloween lover. I love creating crazy makeup looks, I love creating costumes out of things I generally have around the house (and I’ve come up with some fun stuff), and I love seeing everyone around me have fun embracing their inner child and getting creative for the spooky and scary festivities.

Some examples of my deep love of this holiday, featuring fellow Halloween enthusiast and friend of Addicted Emy Stantcheva

If you’re headed out this Halloween, or just staying home and handing out candy to cute kiddos, keep the following in mind:

Stay Safe – Keep yourself, your friends and family and those around you safe this Halloween night. Be careful trick or treating with your kids and check their candy before they dig into it. Watch out for your friends while you’re out at a bar or a party. Make sure you can see out of your costume (if you’re wearing a mask) if you’re going to be out and about. Don’t overindulge in drinking and if you do, hydrate! Just take care and be safe.

Be inclusive – Remember, not everyone shares the same neurological or physical traits that we all do. Be inclusive when handing out candy – don’t judge “big kids” who may be just a little different, or kids who struggle to pick their piece of candy. Remember that some kids can’t get around as easily as other, and be like my awesome friends Rich and Natasha Padulo who have worked to make their home more accessible to kids with special needs, and have made these awesome signs to show families where they can trick or treat with ease.

Be considerate – There are so many amazing costume ideas out there, so don’t dress up as something that could be upsetting, triggering or offensive. That includes all cultural appropriation style costumes, anything that’s just in plain bad taste and anything that you think your mother would be ashamed of you for coming up with.

Be you – One of the things I love most about Halloween is seeing everyone let their freak flags fly. So don’t be shy or worried about what other people think, if you look conventionally attractive, or any other hangups you may have in the rest of your life. Just dress up, embrace your inner child and have a happy Halloween!

If you’re headed out this Halloween, I’ve got a few tunes below to help get you in the spooky spirit.

Nadia Elkharadly

Nadia Elkharadly is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Addicted Magazine. Her myriad of addictions include music, fashion, travel, technology, boxing and trying to make the world a better place. Nadia is also a feminist, an animal lover, and a neverending dreamer. Keep up with her on social media through @thenadiae.